Under the care of his half-brother, Richard had a gentleman's upbringing from childhood. Although he grew up close with his siblings, he was surrounded by whispers and gossip about him. After finding out about his illegitimate lineage, Richard maintained his relationship with Ellie, but grew more distant and formal with the elder Mr Ashcroft, though he still held a high degree of regard, gratitude and affection for him. Ellie mentions that his favourite dish is the rabbit stew cooked by Mrs Nancy.

Richard had been studying at Cambridge for a year before he arrived at Thornleigh Abbey under short notice, having found his studies dull and stifling. His presence in town caused many, such as the protagonist's mother, Mrs Norris and Mr Earlwood, to have reservations about the family and the protagonist's ongoing acquaintance with them. After some time however, the town come to accept the young man and he is well-received at a ball that Mr Worthington hosts. It is at the same ball where he meets Colonel Watson, and later decides to join the Regiment, a vocation he had long desired to go into, as he wished to fight for his country and learn the ways of the real world. This was initially a great source of contention between him and his half-brother. However, the family comes to accept his decision and Richard leaves with the Colonel and the rest of the militia into life as a soldier.